Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 4: Telegram
Memorandum of Teletype Conference, Prepared in the Department of the Army
DA TT 5018
Subject: Violation of Neutral Zone.
Conferees:
Present Washington:
Hon R A Lovett Dep SecDef
Adm L O McCormick Actg CNO (mc)
Gen J E Hull VCS Army
Lt Gen T D White OCS AF
Mr H Freeman Matthews Dep Undsec State
Mr J D Hickerson Asst Sec State
V Adm D B Duncan Dep Chf Naval OP
V Adm A C Davis JCS
Lt Gen C L Bolte DCS Army
Mr L T Merchant State
Mr U A Johnson State
Maj Gen C P Cabell Dir Intell AF
Maj Gen A R Boiling G2 Army
Maj Gen F L Parks CINFO Army
Brig Gen J Weckerling G2 Army
Brig Gen C D Eddleman G3 Army
Capt M M Stephens JCS
Present Tokyo:
Gen Ridgway CINC
Lt Gen Hickey COFS
Brig Gen Ennis G2
Brig Gen Wright G3
Col Moorman SGS
Col Surles SGS
Col Welch PIO
WO McCleary Pers Secy CINC
FEC–1. Top Secret.
Official.
For JCS from CINCFE
Subject: Armistice Conference Today.
Part I.
I received the following message from Munsan from Adm Joy at 040820Z Aug.
“In an attempt to get word to you before press does, report that about one company armed Chinese troops marched past within 300 [Page 779] yards United Nations house in Kaesong about 1345K today as UNC delegation proceeded to conference site.1 Adm Joy notified Nam Il this violation both of half mile zone in which no armed troops were to be present and of five mile zone in which organized armed forces except military police were to be excluded. Nam Il replied would investigate and report.
“News photographers have story with stills and television movies.”
Part II.
On my request for immediate verification of incident I received the following from Adm Joy:
“Time 1345K
“Place: On road between UNC house and conference house—300 yards from UNC house. 100 yards from conference house.
“Composition: Approx one infantry company marching in single file.
“Armament: Small arms including rifles, pistols and grenades observed by all members of delegation and staffs. Mortars reported by Norman Soong and other press photographers.
“Direction of movement: East.
“Names of eye-witnesses immediately avail: Joy, Craigie, Paik, Hodes, Burke, Nuckolls.
“Names of press who witnessed Chinese company: Norman Soong—Pan Asia; James Healy—Acme Photograph; James Pringle—AP Photographer; Robert McCoy—Time Life Reporter Photographer; Wade Bingham—Telenews Motion Picture Cameraman.
“Armament seen: Bren, 60 MM mortars, plus small arms, one of Chinese officers reached for gun while Wade Bingham photographing troop column.
“Norman Soong believes his prints will show both Bren guns and mortars.
“Jim Healy knows his film will show Bren guns and grenades.
“Pringle same as Healy.
“Undeveloped film arriving Tokyo tomorrow.”
Will supply you film earliest.
Part III.
My broadcast to Generals Kim Il Sung and Peng Teh-Huai on this matter contained the following: “message from General Ridgway to General Kim Il Sung and General Peng Teh-Huai at 13 July 1951.2
[Page 780]1. The assurances which I require are simple and few. They include as primary pre-requisites the establishment of an agreed conference area, of suitable extent, completely free of armed personnel of either side.
2. I therefore now propose that a circular area with its center at approximately the center of Kaesong, and with a five-mile radius, be agreed upon as a neutral zone. The Eastern limit of the neutral zone shall be the present point of contact of our forces at Pan Mun Jom. I propose that we both agree to refrain from hostile acts of any kind within this zone during the entire period of our conferences. I propose that we agree that the area of the conference site and the roads leading thereto used by personnel of both delegation parties be completely free of armed personnel.”
The reply by General Kim Il Sung and Peng Teh-Huai received at 2245K 14 July contained the following:
“General Ridgway: We have received the proposition dated 13 July and have agreed to make Kaesong the neutral zone as you have proposed. Signed Kim Il Sung Peng Teh-Huai”.3
Part IV.
Admiral Joy now reports that the UNC delegation believes that there is a definite possibility that the violation of the neutral zone was intentional. The UNC delegation is unable to understand the reason for such an intentional violation unless Communists want to break the conference on this issue rather than on an agenda item. UNC delegation is unanimous in the belief that Nam Il was unusually arrogant and confident today.
Part V.
Subject to such modifications as you may direct, I propose broadcasting the following message with the least practicable delay: “To Generals Kim Il Sung and Peng Teh-Huai: It has been officially verified by eye witnesses, confirmed with still and movie photography, that on or about 1345 hours 4 August, armed military forces not belonging to the United Nations Command, were observed in Kaesong within approximately 100 yards of conference house. These forces, approximating an infantry company, were proceeding in an Easterly direction on foot and were armed with rifles, pistols, grenades, automatic weapons and mortars.
“Your attention is invited to the following: On 13 July 1951, I broadcast a message addressed to you which contained the following passages: ‘The assurances which I require are simple and few. They include as primary pre-requisites the establishment of an agreed conference [Page 781] area, of suitable extent, completely free of armed personnel of either side.’ In the same message I stated ‘I therefore now propose that a circular area with its center at approximately the center of Kaesong, and with a five-mile radius, be agreed upon as a neutral zone. The Eastern limit of the neutral zone shall be the present point of contact of our forces at Pan Mun Jom.
“‘I propose that we both agree to refrain from hostile acts of any kind within this zone during the entire period of our conference. I propose that we agree that the area of the conference site and the roads leading thereto used by personnel of both delegation parties be completely free of armed personnel’.
“On 14 July 1951, you broadcast to me a reply to this message which stated among other things, ‘We have received the proposition dated 13 July and have agreed to make Kaesong the neutral zone as you have proposed’.
“I now invite your attention to this flagrant violation of the assurances which I required and which you promised. I hereby demand a prompt explanation of this flagrant violation of your agreement, a statement satisfactory to me of the corrective action taken and acceptable guarantees against a recurrence. I desire to inform you that until such explanation, report of corrective action taken and acceptable guarantees against recurrence are received, the United Nations Command delegation will remain within United Nations lines. If and when you have complied with the foregoing the United Nations Command delegation will be prepared to resume discussions now interrupted by your complete disregard of your commitments.”
Request your instructions soonest.
Signed. Ridgway.
DA–1. Secret.
Received your UNC 1734 a short time ago—Adm Davis.
DA–2. Top Secret.
Official.
For Ridgway from JCS.
Your proposed broadcast approved except delete final portion of message beginning “I hereby demand” and ending “Your commitments” and substitute the following “The UNC delegation is prepared to continue conversations as soon as satisfactory explanation of this violation and assurances of non-recurrence are received. I await your reply.”
FEC–2. Top Secret.
Official.
Ref DA–2.
[Page 782]Respectfully submit that Communists understand strength only. Revised text will be interpreted as weakness.
In any event strongly recommend interpolation of following as next to last sentence of your revision: “Meanwhile United Nations Command delegation will remain within United Nations lines.” Ridgway.
DA–3. Secret.
Official.
For Ridgway from JCS.
To explain probable absence of Joy suggest you give consideration to delivering copy of your broadcast statement to Communist representatives at Kaesong in addition to broadcasting it.
FEC–3. Top Secret.
Official.
Ref DA–3.
Extremely reluctant to commit any United Nations personnel to Kaesong until satisfactory explanation and guarantees are received.
DA–6. Secret.
Official.
Reference FEC–3 our DA–3.
Fully agree.
FEC–4. Top Secret.
Official.
Am I authorized to interpolate sentence quoted in FEC–2.
DA–5. Secret.
Official.
For Ridgway from JCS.
Reference our DA–2 your FEC–2 our reason for deletion was that we felt statement could be interpreted as weakness and submission to intimidation. However if you feel it is desirable agree to leave matter your discretion.
FEC–5. Top Secret.
Official.
Ref DA–5.
Your DA–5 not entirely clear. If left to my discretion would broadcast my entire message as given in my FEC–1, Part V.
Please confirm that this is left to my discretion.
DA–7. Secret.
Official.
For Ridgway from JCS.
Reur FEC–5.
[Page 783]Intention of our DA–5 is only that you may interpolate sentence proposed in your FEC–2 if you wish. Except for above we reaffirm change in your broadcast as contained in our DA–2.
FEC–6. Secret.
Official.
Ref DA–7.
Roger. Nothing further here.5
DA–4. Restricted.
Official.
For Ridgway from JCS.
We think Joy and his delegation are doing a wonderful job.
- General Ridgway reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the conference of August 4 in his telegram C–68310, not printed, stating that no progress had been made and that the Communist side showed no sign of weakening in its adamant stand that the 38th parallel be made the military demarcation line (Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 2).↩
- See the editorial note, p. 671.↩
- See telegram HNC–097, July 15, from Korea, p. 682.↩
- This was the message quoted in Part I of this teletype conference.↩
- The text of General Ridgway’s broadcast, which was made over the Armed Forces Radio Service at 6 a. m., August 5 (4 p. m., August 4, EDT), and which conformed to the wording agreed on in this teletype conference, is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, August 13, 1951, p. 269.↩